OP Events

 Once we start running sanctioned events again, starting with FNM on July 9, we will be asking for proof of vaccination or ask you to wear a mask while playing. While we are not seeing any increases in infections immediately in the area, you are going to be sitting across from someone else for a significant period of time and they need to have the security of knowing that you have had the shot for COVID -19 or are going to wear a mask inorder to reduce the liklihood of spreading infection should you be carrying.

FNM Arena

 WOTC announced yesterday that they are ending the FNM Arena program this week. Well, modifying it. Starting next week, it will be called Midweek Magic. You play between Tuesday and Thursday and send us a screenshot between 8 a.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. Thursday to get your code

Major changes are coming to FNM at Home! Going forward, the program will be called Midweek Magic and run from Tuesday to Thursday. There will be no event the week of July 5. Then, starting on July 13, the first Midweek Magic will run from Tuesday 8am PST to Thursday 8am PST. Beyond the name and date change, there will be no other programmatic changes.

D&D Canceled

 Our Monday DM has come down with a virus so out of caution, we are cancelling tonight's D&D session. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday are still on the schedule.

Pokemon Tonight

 No Pokemon tonight since our Gym Leader is sick. Still have plenty of boosters in stock and if you stop by, we will give you credit towards one of the promo cards.

Patches

 We still have some patches left from DCC Day so come in tomorrow and for every $50 you spend on RPG books, dice or miniatures, you can select one patch.

DCC Day

 Join us for Dungeon Crawl Classics Day. Pick up a free copy of this years Adventure Pack and purchase a copy of the limited edition adventure. For every $50 you spend on RPG related materials, get one DCC patch. Play a 1st level DCC adventure from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Magic Play Modification

 WOTC has recommended but not required, the following play modifications during a game of Magic. We have not decided if we will implement them yet when we return to in store OP

Stores also may, if they so wish, modify the rules of Magic play to minimize player contact with other plyers. Of course, said modifications must comply with local laws. WOTC provided examples of such play modifications as:

Players may only shuffle or cut their own decks

Cards must remain on the owner’s side of the table when control is changed

Cards attached to cards owned by other players should not physically touch

Mechanics that require an opponent to search a player’s library, hand, or graveyard are performed by the owner displaying that zone to the active player without cards changing hands

Essentially, it appears that it that stores may implement any change in the rules of play that would prevent one player from touching another’s cards .

The Power of Immediacy

 

. Immediacy—when the customer buys a product at a brick and mortar store, they get to use it immediately. When the exception of digital media and PDFs, everything else purchased online takes time to reach them, anywhere from a day to a month or better.  I was just checking out a Kickstarter produced by a local publisher and backers will not receive the game until next March. Even modeling miniatures with a 3D printer takes several hours to complete

RIP Andrew Hackard

 

On a somber note, Andrew Hackard, the line editor for Steve Jackson Games Munchkin line passed away this week from  glioblastoma , an aggressive form of brain cancer.  I did not know Andrew Hackard well but I met him several times at various game industry functions and found him gregarious and enthusiastic whether it was discussing Munchkin, other SJG products, Ravenloft or any other topic . If you have played a game of Munchkin in the past decade or ever ventured into the realm of Ravenloft, which he helped keep alive during the years it was out of print say a silent “Thank You” to him the next time you play.

Age of Sigmar Dominion

 We had 9 of these on pre-order but GW is notifying stores that they may be allocated so if you want a set, let us know ASAP:

Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Dominion   • Strictly available while stocks last • Containing 2 full armies of Stormcast Eternals and Orruk Warclans Kruleboyz • All 60 miniatures in this set are push-fit, and includes: • 21 Stormcast Eternals: – 1x Yndrasta the Celestial Spear, 1x Lord Imperatant with Gryph-hound, 1x Knight-Vexillor with Banner of Apotheosis, 3x Praetors, 1x KnightArcanum, 3x Annihilators and 10x Vindictors • 39 Kruleboyz: – 1x Killaboss on Great Gnashtoof, 1x Murknob with Belcha-banna, 1x Swampcalla Shaman with Pot-grot, 1x Killaboss with Stab-grot, 3x Manskewer Boltboyz, 10x Gutrippaz, and 20x Hobgrot Slittaz • Includes the new 360-page, hardback Warhammer Age of Sigmar Core Book • Also contains a 24-page narrative booklet, and Warscroll Cards and Allegiance Abilities for all the miniatures in the box • Approximately 200% added value 80-03 US $199/ CAN $239

Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Core Book   • A 360-page hardback core book for the brand new 3rd Edition of Warhammer Age of Sigmar • An essential purchase for any and every fan of Warhammer Age of Sigmar • Includes background, new and updated rules and new ways to play - the best edition of Warhammer Age of Sigmar yet!   80-02 US $65/ CAN $80

General’s Handbook Pitched Battles 2021 and Pitched Battle Profiles • Contains 2 books: 96-page hardback ringbound book and 34-page softback booklet • Updates all points for all units in all armies for the new edition of Warhammer Age of Sigmar – an essential purchase • The essential Matched Play companion for every Warhammer Age of Sigmar fan interested in competitive tournament play • Contains 12 brand new Battleplans for the 2021 season of competitive play, as well as 14 double-sided tokens which includes all-new Battle Tactic tokens   80-18 US $40/ CAN $50

Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Path to Glory Diary 152-page faux leather effect book, that allows Warhammer Age of Sigmar players to track the progress of their armies over their Path to Glory campaign Contains enough pages to track the results of over 70 Path to Glory games, from 4 different Armies   90-11 US $35/ CAN $40

Realmscape Objectives Set Contains 6x brand new, multi-part, plastic miniatures for use as Objective Markers in games of Warhammer Age of Sigmar   65-16 US $50/ CAN $60

Combat Gauge Ideal for measuring crucial in-game measurements. Measures 3" x 1" along two edges with the remaining edges respectively measuring 0.5" and 2" 3mm thick metal, with a beaten gold-effect finish, with the Warhammer Age of Sigmar logo and icon   65-10 US $25/ CAN $30

Realmscape: Ghurish Expanse Contains 2x double-sided gaming boards, for use in the new edition of Warhammer Age of Sigmar Each measures 30" x 22.4" Ideal for games up to 1000 points, this product is a multiple purchase item for games larger than this   65-11 US $50/ CAN $60 Base: Orruk Flesh (12ml) A pale green Base paint An essential colour for any Orruk or Ork collector A great purchase alongside the Warhammer Age of Sigmar Dominion box   21-56 US $4.55/CAN $5.40 Base: Hobgrot Hide (12ml) A tan like ochre Base paint An essential purchase for those customers wanting to replicate the new Hobgrot Slittaz A great purchase alongside the Warhammer Age of Sigmar Dominion box   21-57 US $4.55/ CAN $5.40

Base: Thondia Brown (12ml) A yellow-hued brown Base paint A great base colour for those looking to add variety to the fabrics and leathers of their miniatures An essential purchase alongside the Warhammer Age of Sigmar Dominion box 21-58 US $4.55/CA $5.40

Dominion Direct tie-in novel to the new Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Dominion box set Related products: Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Dominion

Yu Gi Oh release Dates

 here, according to Konami, are the release dates for Yu Gi Oh products for the rest of the year:

Egyptian God Deck: Slifer the Sky Dragon/Egyptian God Deck: Obelisk the Tormentor                 6/18/21

King’s Court                                                                                                                                       7/9/21

Slifer, Obelisk, Ra accessories                                                                                                            7/30/21

Dawn of Majesty                                                                                                                                 8/13/21

2021 Tin of Ancient Battles                                                                                                                 9/17/21

Battles of Legend 2021*                                                                                                                     10/1/21

Structure Deck: Cyber Strike                                                                                                              10/8/21

I:P Masquerena accessories                                                                                                               11/5/21

Hidden Arsenal: Chapter 1                                                                                                                 12/3/21

Legendary Duelists: Synchro Storm                                                                                                   1/21/22

Modern Horizons 2

 We have Modern Horizon 2 Set boosters, singles, Bundles and Pre-release kits available at open. We are waiting on our shipment of draft and Collector boosters which we expect to arrive tomorrow. Our main shipper did not get our order out on Wednesday for arrival today, but we should get them in tomorrow.

WOTC Metrics

 WOTC made this announcement today. Basically, if stores want to increase their allocation of pre-release packs and other materials, they have a year from the Forgotten Realms release to get numbers us. Metrics, in WOTC speak, is the number of players at events:

Metrics will only be counted in the U.S. to start, but other regions will follow.

Beginning with the AFR Prerelease on July 16, metrics will be counted in the U.S. Other regions can expect to have metrics counted again shortly after play suspension is lifted in that area. We will continue to provide updates about the status of in-store play globally as they occur.

You will have a full year to build up your metrics starting from the date metrics begin counting in your region.

During that grace period, promo and product allocations will be based on either the metric snapshot from Q1 2020 or your live metrics. After that period, only your live metrics will be used to determine allocations.

Family Board Games

 We got in several classic style board games from Winning Moves, a company that reprints a number of older Parker Brothers and Milton Bradley games. This week arrived Clue Master Detective, Yahtzee, Hi Ho Cherrio, Risk and 1980's edition Monopoly.

Friday Night Magic

 We will be starting instore Friday night Magic on July 9th at 5:30 p.m.  Standard Format. $5 entry fee. Proof of vaccination required for a seat at the table.

Masks

 We are asking you to keep wearing a mask until July 5th. Although the mask mandate has been relaxed, we want to make sure that COVID-19 numbers continue to decline, especially since we have 2 staff members with weaker immune systems as well as family members with weakened immune systems. We ant to minimize the liklihood of them getting infected as much as possible.  After July 4th, assuming numbers stay low, we will make mask wearing optional and start running in store Friday Night Magic, Forgotten Realms Pre-release and Sunday afternoon \Magic Commander.

Pokemon and Konami have not given us any information as to what their plans are for resuming in store play of their games, so for now, we will continue to Yu Gi Oh if asked and casual Pokemon play on Monday nights.

Pokemon Chilling Reign

 Pokemon Chilling Reign booster boxes, booster 3-packs and Elite Trainer Kits go on sale June 14, which by a coincidence is Flag Day as well.

Friday Night Magic

 We plan to start in store FNM play on July 9. Since we will have people sitting directly across from one another, we will require all players to be vaccinated. WOTC has also recommended these changes to in game card handling

• Players may only shuffle or cut their own decks.
• Cards must remain on the owner’s side of the table when control is changed.
• Cards attached to cards owned by other players should not physically touch.
• Mechanics that require an opponent to search a player’s library, hand, or graveyard are performed by the owner displaying that zone to the active player without cards changing hands.

We are wanting input on what format you would like to see for FNM. We are leaning toward Standard but are open to other formats if most people want to play them.

Modern Horizons 2 Pre-release

 If you pre-paid for Modern Horizons 2 Pre-release kits or Set booster boxes you may pick them up tomorrow. Although WOTC did not provide any prize boosters for this pre-release, as they usually do, if you pre-paid for a pre-release kit we will give you a Set booster to go along with it. Only Set booster boxes and pre-release kits will be available for purchase until next Friday.

Yu Gi Oh Release Dates

 Here are the release dates for Yu Gi Oh products for the rest of the year:

Egyptian God Deck: Slifer the Sky Dragon/Egyptian God Deck: Obelisk the Tormentor                      6/18/21

King’s Court                                                                                                                                       7/9/21

Slifer, Obelisk, Ra accessories                                                                                                            7/30/21

Dawn of Majesty                                                                                                                                 8/13/21

2021 Tin of Ancient Battles                                                                                                                 9/17/21

Battles of Legend 2021*                                                                                                                     10/1/21

Structure Deck: Cyber Strike                                                                                                              10/8/21

I:P Masquerena accessories                                                                                                               11/5/21

Hidden Arsenal: Chapter 1                                                                                                                 12/3/21

Legendary Duelists: Synchro Storm                                                                                                1/21/22

Paycheck Protection Plan

 Well, that didn’t last long. The $349 billion appropriated for the CARES act and the Paycheck Protection Plan, which was a major component of the Act, ran out after about 2 week. Of course, it did not help that several chains, such as Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Potbelly Sandwich Shop applied for loans/grants under the program and received $10 million each ($20 million in the case of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, since the corporation had two different subsidiaries apply), the maximum allowable under the PPP.  Under the plan, the government considered any business employing fewer than 500 people a small business. I would wager that is 450 more than 95% of the companies in the game industry employ. With the average loan, according to the SBA, running just under $240,000 and over 1.3 million loans, at least, approved, it is no wonder the program ran out of funds so quickly. I do find it interesting that, since the CARES Act does not require the SBA to release loan/grant amounts, it has declined to do so. The only reason we know about the $10 million loans some corporations received is because they are publicly traded corporations and required by law and their charters to make that sort of information publicly available. Privately held companies and corporations are under no such requirement and have no legal obligation to do so. Several members of Congress are pushing the SBA to release the names of organizations that received CARES loans. We will see if their badgering of the SBA, which gave out more money in the past fourteen days than it had loaned out in the past 14 years, pushes the SBA to make public the names of other companies that received loans.

Meanwhile Congress is looking at putting more money into the PPP but the plan has run into an impasse  with some members of Congress wanting to just appropriate more money for the PPP as it stands, while others want to add wording to a second funding proposal that targets more new funds towards more specific parts of the economy, including hospitals , state and local governments and food assistance.  Until some agreement is reached, which will probably include adding the extra funds for hospitals and state and local governments,  we should not expect to see any more money coming immediately from the Federal Government, unless you are someone who gets your tax refund in the form of a check, in which case you can expect to see those funds show up anywhere from early May through mid-September.

Meanwhile GAMA does have its FLGS Locater up and running, as well as the updated (as of April 15) list of publisher initiatives about which the organization knows and a handy one stop page of COVID-19 resources . Incidentally, GAMA last week sent out a very nice looking email with hyperlinks to all of the publisher initiatives on its list, and publishers have reported customers taking advantage of the offers and directing money to local stores.  

Modern Horizons 2 Pre-release

We will host an At Home pre-release for Modern Horizons 2 starting this Friday at 10 a.m. You may purchase Pre-release kits for Modern Horizons 2 for $50 each as well as booster boxes of Set Boosters. All of the other Modern Horizon 2 items  will go on sale June 18th 

Chilling Reign Pre-release

Saturday June 5th, if you prepaid for the Chilling Reign pre-release you may pick up your kit tomorrow. Those who pre-registered will also receive 3 additional packs of Chilling Reign and may take up to 20 energy cards  if you with.

Pokemon Partner Packs

 Got in two displays of the Pokemon Partner Packs. These come with 3 oversized cards plus two Pokemon packs. Likely will not last long as we were surprised to see them arrive. We are also taking pre-payment for Chilling Reign. $129.99 for a booster box and $49.99 for a Trainer Kit through  June 13. Limit one of each per customer.

Masks

 We are still asking everyone who comes into the store to wear a mask. We have staff who have family members with compromised immune systems and would rather err on the side of caution. If COVID -19 numbers continue to fall, we are looking at ending masking about the first of July.  Thank you.

Chilling Reign Pre-release

 Just a reminder that tomorrow, June 2 is the last day to pre-register for the Pokemon Chilling Reign Pre-release and save $5. Kits will cost $25 through then and increase to $30 after that. We are not running an in-store event since Pokemon still does not sanction them. We are limited players to 1 kit per person through Saturday night and will open up the remaining kits to additional sales on Sunday.